The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-03
MEXICAN BEVERAGES.
No Pleasant Drinks To Be Had at Reasons
Bile PriCe-Semi- Religious Saloons.

No TIeaSanJ DrlnkS 10 BE Had at Reasons.
bic Price-Semi Religious Saloons.
Correspondence of fhe Indianapolis Journal.
CHIHUAHUA. Mex, March 29.-There is, I'M
doubtedly, very general impression prevailing
among the people of the United States that tho
Mexicans are an exceedingly immoral people.
and that gambling. cock-fghting. bull batting
and murder are of such common occurrence as to
attract but little attention from the authorities
Nothing could be further from the truth. The
Mexcans. as people, are not boldly and openly
immoral or wicked They are not active, dash
ing or brilliant in anything. That spirit of con-
hdence and self-reliance, necessary in bold en-
terprises whether good or bad, has been crushed
out OF the common people by long years of op-
preston on the part of those in power
and they are irresolute of pur-
pose and feeble in the execution of
any design. Whatever they do in theft or muir
der-in burglary or violence of any kinds
usually done in a sly and stealthy manner, when
the victim may be taken by surprise. and the
chances of defeat or of discovery are very slight
indeed
The fact is that laws in Mexico are reasonably
prohibited in this portion of the republic, except
during certain 'feast" in each year, at which
time an eight-day license may be obtained for
such ''amusements.7 heavy fee being required
for the permit Cock fighting is still permitted.
but this is not at all popular pas.ime, being
patronized by persons Of question:
BILE regulations. 1t is rapidly fall
ing into disfavor. and will soon
practically cease. Drunkenness. as far as my
observation goes. is not a common vice. There
may be good reason for this in the fact that in
large portion of the country. there is no pleas
ant drink obtainabe at a reasonable price that
will produce intox:cation. Beer, which is so
generally used and is so cheap in the United
States, is sold in this part of Mexico in quart
BOTTLES at 81 the bottle. Very little is manu-
featured here. being imported from Chicago
Milwaukee and st. Louis, and the heavy freight
charges and import duties increase the cost to
such an extent that the demand is thereby lin
tied.
Those who are determined to drink intoxicat-
ing liquors therefore, forced to the necessity
of using alcoholic drinks, and those to be found
here are of the strongest kind. Those who
afford it use what is known as cognac or French
brandy. Much of this is spurious and impure.
and whether good or bad, is too expensive for
the common people The masses, therefore. are
driven to the use of domestic drink
called "tequila," liquor distilled from
cheap beverage being retailed at about cents
drink. 1t will produce genuine of
plain drunk" with all the dreadful after effects
as is possible to be realized by an over-indul
gence in ''forty-rod" whisky such as is frequent
iy sold in tho States. Tequila, unless first d.
luted is a fearful liquid to take into the stom-
ach. 1t is, however. probably not so injurious as
bad whisky, being, in the language of the patent
pill advertisements. purely vegetable" and not
doctored with drugs and fusel-oil. BUTT takes
hold" of the throat and stomach in a way to de-
light an old topper who desires a new sensation.
1t is not pleasant in taste to the beginner. and
stays with the drinker entirely to closely and
much too long in the matters Of odor and bad
after effects. 1t is difficult to determine what
man will not use as stimulant, but certainly
teauila-with favor of salty gins not bev-
| erage- which anyone whose taste is not per-
| yerted would ''hanker" after.
In some of the towns that are purely Mexican,
where outside influences have scarcely been
| felt. the cantinas, or drinking saloons, mix re-
| ligion with their liquors in way that would
| hardly be tolerated In many countries. In some
| of these shops may be found a picture Of the
| Blessed Virgin or some popular saint hung
| above the barrels of liquor, and occasionally
| little shrine with crucifx and lighted candle,
are boldly displayed among the bottles. In these
places the attendant behind the bar is not
| an artist in the mixing of beverages. To
| him such drinks as cocktails, cobtlers. brandy
| smashes and whisky sours are unknown. Pa
| irons are compelled to take their goods straight.
| No seats provided in the saloons and visit
| ors to these houses are obliged to drink stand
ing, if not in silence The names of these
! shops are often very striking, if not sacr-
| lesOus. Such names as LA Cantlna del MERGED"
| the saloon of mercy; 1.-THE True Faith" and
| the Mother Of God" to be seen over the
| doors of saloons. while the names of the saints
are made to do duty almost everywhere. and for
| almost every purpose.
Speaking of peculiar names and odd signs re-
| minds me of few have observed in Mexico
| Over one door was the inscription, ''Sastrevia
| de Jesus Jose Primero." which being translated
| means "Tailorshop of Jesus Joseph the First. :"
| Over another door was inscribed "Maravilla
Fanday Cafe the hotel and restaurant of the
miracle. If it had been named the restaurant
of the mystery" I should have known at once
that 'hash" was regular and favorite dish at
| the establishment. While walking the streets of
| city one day. almost Involuntary took off
+, my hat when, on looking up at building on the
corner found myself in LA Gale de San Juan
| de Dios'-the street of St. John of God.
| In Mexico all English speaking persons and
| more especially Americans. are spoken of by the
natives as ''grngos," just as foreigners speak of
| Mexicans as ''greasers." How the American
| came to be called 'gringo" has never been defin-
itely settled. Sumo say that many years ago a
/ vessel landed at Mazatlan on the Pacific coast
and that while on shore the sailors sang Green
| Grow the Rushes, OIL! and from this the natives
| made up the name applied to English speaking
| persons ever since. Others say that Americans
often speak of the stupid natives as green
| horns" and from this appearion the word
| 'grlngo' was derived. Ire two explanations
given here as they were given to me. Having
| paid his money for the paper the reader is at
perfect liberty to take his choice as to which, if
either, is correct The American. however. is
| never offended when spoken of as ''grngo y
but the title of .greaser Is very offensive to the
| Mexican it is a word that quite apty conveys
a correct idea of the lower classes-the average
descendant of the Aztec and the person who
originated il possessed fine appreciation of the
| fitness of terms. D. W. G.
|
| Gettysbure-Turning of the Tide.
i L. la4.lo